Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.I have been on Viracept, Zerit and Epivir for the last 6 1/2 years (VL undetectable and T-Cell count of 685). I would like to know how to deal with the fat redistribution for the face. Is it wise to change medication since I have been doing really well on these meds? What other similar medications that I can switch to?
Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease
Your dilemma is all too common: a person doing very well on a potent anti-HIV regimen but who has unfortunately developed the so-called fat redistribution syndrome, or lipodystrophy syndrome. Most people believe the main causes are the thymidine analog drugs, AZT (Retrovir) and D4T (Zerit). Once the syndrome develops, it does not seem to reverse, even if one switches to medications not believed to cause the syndrome. Those people who can afford it often opt for "cosmetic" procedures to improve their appearance, and many physicians will replace Zerit or AZT with another medication to at least halt further progression of fat loss.
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